Mounting means

ABSTRACT

Means for attaching the handrail portion of a combined handrail and glass panel unit to the glass panel. The handrail overlies and embraces the glass and said means are actuated from beneath the handrail portion so that they would not be apparent to the eye of one observing or using the railing unit.

United States Patent 2,244,491 6/1941 Englehart 2.646.142 7/1953 Watkins 1, 52/499 2,666,590 H1954 Pryor 287/l24X 3,121,261 2/1964 Ritter 52/499x 3,228,335 1/1966 Thompson... .....287/l89.36CX 3,321,059 5/1967 Kroepel 256/24X 3,367, 27 2/l968 Wardetal. 287/119R 3,467,416 9/1969 Gourley 2s7/5209x 3,498,651 3/1970 P6166611 2s7/124x 3,498,653 3/1970 McCreery 287/ll9R Primary Examiner-Denriis L. Taylor Attorney-Paul & Paul ABSTRACT: Means for attaching the handrail portion of a combined handrail and glass panel unit to the glass panel. The

handrail overlies and embraces the glass and said means are actuated from beneath the handrail portion so that they would not be apparent to the eye of one observing or using the railing unit.

PATENTEU JUL 20 19?:

SHEET 1 BF 2 INVENTOR. William J. Horgon, Jr.

ATTORNEYS.

PATEN'TEB M20 m1 SHEET 2 OF 2 3 593 96 3 INVENTOR. Wi lliom J. Horgon, Jr.

ATTORNEYS.

MOUNTING MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention comprises a plurality of movable fasteners mounted in a housing embracing the glass which are actuated from beneath the railing so as to preserve the uninterrupted lines thereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a new mounting means for joining the parts of the handrail unit as described, which is both effective and hidden from view.

This and other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a handrail unit partially cut away including mounting means in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevation of a portion of the unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken as indicated by the lines and arrows 3-3 in FIG. 2 with a portion of the handrail shown in phantom;

FIG. 4 is a section taken as indicated by the lines and arrows 4-4 in FIG. 2 with a portion ofthe handrail shown in phantom; and

FIG. 5 is a section, similar to that portion shown in solid lines in FIG. 3, showing an alternate embodiment of my invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Although specific forms of the invention have been selected for illustration in the drawings, and the following description is drawn in specific terms for the purpose of describing these forms of the invention, this description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

Referring to the FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a handrail unit designated generally comprising a wooden handrail portion 11, a metal portion 12 and a glass panel 13. It will be understood that these portions are continuous and can be varied in height, width, and length. The FIGS. show the wooden handrail 11 broken away to expose the side of the metal portion 12 and several small holes, the function of which will be more apparent from the description which follows.

FIG. 2 shows the cutaway portion of FIG. I in an enlarged elevation. FIGS. 3 and 4 are sections taken through FIG. 2 with the wooden portion 11 shown in phantom. The wooden handrail portion embraces in a snug fit, the metal portion 12 which extends below the limits of the wooden portion for a short distance. The metal portion is a subassembly preferably made of aluminum, such as U.S. alloy 6063, and is substantially channel shaped to embrace two longitudinally extending L-shaped members 16 and 18 which are bonded to the glass by any suitable material well known in the art as shown at 19. The members 16 and 18 are relatively thin being on the order of 0.093 inches thick and are also made of aluminum. Thus, they will deform if forcibly acted upon by, for example, a steel ball. The member 12 fits snugly about the members 16 and 18 in sliding engagement therewith. To retain it in this position I have provided the following means.

Entering from the bottom of the member 12 a vertical hole 20 (FIG. 3) is drilled and tapped. An intersecting transverse (in this case horizontal) through hole is provided at 22;said hole being positioned so as to be embraced and concealed by the wooden member 11 in the assembled condition. A cone head setscrew 24 is threadably engaged in the hole 20 and can be advanced or retracted therein so as to extend into the trans verse hole 22.

Prior to assembly, a steel ball 26--being in sliding engagement with the hole 22-is inserted therein and a silicone sealant 28 is placed in the hole 22 and about a portion of the ball 26 so as to retain the ball in place during assembly.

As can be seen in FIG. 3 the steel ball 26 lies inwardly of the center line of the setscrew 24 so as to contact the member 18. Thus, when the setscrew is advanced upwardly in the hole 20 the cone point engages the side of the ball most remote from the member 18 and as the advancement continues the ball is forced against the member 18 deforming it slightly and securely locking the member 12 thereto. The member 11 is held on the member 12 in any suitable fashion such as by means of adhesive. The ball must be of sufficient diameter so that it remains in contact with the setscrew and the member 18 and at all times is held under pressure once it is assembled.

I have found that it is desirable to have a two-point contact in securing these members together and I have provided a second ball and setscrew arrangement, most preferably disposed along a different line of contact from the first. Such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 4. Therein the hole 40 is threaded and has threadedly engaged therewith a setscrew 42 which in turn engages a steel ball 46 disposed in a transverse hole 44. When the setscrew is advanced the cone point engages the steel ball and forces it against the member 18.

The most preferred arrangement of balls can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the transverse holes and balls are longitudinally displaced and vertically displaced.

The most preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein the transverse hole is on a slant. 1 have found that this slanted hole when used in connection with a setscrew which need not have a cone point, such as the screw shown in FIG. 5, the holding power of the device is much better. Once again a vertical hole 50 is threaded and has threadably engaged therewith a setscrew 52 which engages a steel ball 54 disposed in a upwardly inclined through hole 56. A material 58 similar to the material 28 in FIG. 3 is used to retain the ball in place during assembly and as the screw 52 is advanced the ball presses against the member 18.

A plurality of such balls in slanted holes along the railing are preferable, since they increase the area of contact and prevent cocking or rocking.

It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials and arrangement of parts which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.

It will further be understood that the Abstract of the Disclosure" set forth above is intended to provide a nonlegal technical statement of the contents of the disclosure in compliance with the Rules of Practice of the U.S. Pat. Office, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention described and claimed herein.

What I claim is:

l. A mounting means for a handrail and glass panel unit having a handrail embracing said glass panel, comprising: means disposed between the rail and the panel for positioning the rail on the panel; and means within said last mentioned means for gripping the panel, comprising a plurality of upwardly extending tapped holes, a plurality of transverse holes intersecting said tapped holes, a plurality of movable means within said transverse holes, a plurality of screws within said tapped holes contacting said movable means for moving same balls are steel.

3 within said transverse holes; and a member between said glass panel and said movable means for engagement by said movable means upon advancement of said screws to retain said handrail onsaid glass panel.

balls and the screws are cone point setscrews.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the transverse holes are upwardly extending.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein the movable means are 2, The' invention of claim 1 wher in aid vabl mcans balls in sliding engatement with the walls of said transverse comprises a plurality of balls.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said member between said glass panel and said movable means is aluminum, and said holes.

8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said balls are steel and are acted upon by the ends of said screws.

9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said balls are temporarily retained in position in said transverse holes by a sealant, prior to being acted upon by said screws. 

1. A mounting means for a handrail and glass panel unit having a handrail embracing said glass panel, comprising: means disposed between the rail and the panel for positioning the rail on the panel; and means within said last mentioned means for gripping the panel, comprising a plurality of upwardly extending tapped holes, a plurality of transverse holes intersecting said tapped holes, a plurality of movable means within said transverse holes, a plurality of screws within said tapped holes contacting said movable means for moving same within said transverse holes; and a member between said glass panel and said movable means for engagement by said movable means upon advancement of said screws to retain said handrail on said glass panel.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said movable means comprises a plurality of balls.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said member between said glass panel and said movable means is aluminum, and said balls are steel.
 4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the transverse holes are at right angles to the tapped holes.
 5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the movable means are balls and the screws are cone point setscrews.
 6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the transverse holes are upwardly extending.
 7. The invention of claim 6 wherein the movable means are balls in sliding engatement with the walls of said transverse holes.
 8. The invention of claim 7 wherein said balls are steel and are acted upon by the ends of said screws.
 9. The invention of claim 8 wherein said balls are temporarily retained in position in said transverse holes by a sealant, prior to being acted upon by said screws. 